Texas GOP Chairman Rejects Party’s Policy on Conversion Therapy

The recently adopted plank language adopted as part of the Texas Republican Party’s platform that advocates gay reparative therapy, continued to hold center stage this week when Steve Munisteri, chairman of the Lone Star State’s GOP went on the record as rejecting the discredited practice.

In an interview with Texas Public Radio, Munisteri said,"And I just make the point for anybody that thinks that may be the possibility: Do they think they can take a straight person to a psychiatrist and turn them gay?"

According to Munisteri, he isn’t alone in his beliefs.

"My emails and phone calls to the office are running overwhelmingly opposed to that plank in the platform," Munisteri said. He further stated that there is no way anyone can tell if a majority of Republicans statewide support the reparative therapy plank.

The plank language in question that was recently adopted by the Texas GOP reads:

"We recognize the legitimacy and efficacy of counseling, which offers reparative therapy and treatment for those patients seeking healing and wholeness from their homosexual lifestyle. No laws or executive orders shall be imposed to limit or restrict access to this type of therapy."

That language replaced the party’s previous stance on homosesxuality that said:

We affirm that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God.

Last week, Texas Governor Rick Perry set off a firestorm of comments when likened homosexuality to alcoholism after being asked about his feelings regarding the plank language.

"Whether or not you feel compelled to follow a particular lifestyle or not, you have the ability to decide not to do that," Perry said. "I may have the genetic coding that I’m inclined to be an alcoholic, but I have the desire not to do that, and I look at the homosexual issue the same way."

While neither recanting or further supporting this statement, Perry admitted this week that he had "stepped right in it."

Texas Gov. Rick Perry was once again blasted this week for comments he made last week comparing homosexuality to alcoholism. He’s also been criticized for the Texas GOP’s platform, which now supports conversion therapy.

After a week of occupying numerous headlines and debates over a statement made likening homosexuality to alcoholism, Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) appears to be backing away from the hot button social issue and diverting attention to the economy.